There are a number of youngsters in the team currently. Around the world, including Pakistan, younger players who taste success suddenly find themselves succumbing to all kinds of distractions and temptations. It has happened in Pakistan a lot recently. How do you make sure they do not go that way?
I always speak to these youngsters and try to draw them a picture. I say, "Do everything you want, but make a career for yourself first." I didn't do anything, if you take out the first seven-eight years, I remember, in 2005-06 if a girl called my hotel room, I would answer and say I wasn't there, pretending to be someone else. My focus was always on making my career. Where I've come from only I know how difficult it has been. God has given me an opportunity to make something of myself and I cannot waste that. Whether he is Fawad Alam, Mohammad Aamer or Umar Akmal, he has to first see where he has come from, what his parents, his family are, and if he does stray, what impact it will have on them. I always paint this picture. One tournament or series is nothing. Unless you have 4000-5000 runs or 150-odd wickets, you have done nothing.

Here we get excited immediately. Sohail Tanvir comes along and he becomes the new Wasim Akram. I even said about Aamer, "For god's sake, don't call him Wasim Akram." When I came in and scored some runs at No. 3, someone asked me, "You must be the new Ijaz Ahmed, or Inzamam?' I said, please don't put that pressure on me. Inzi and Ijaz I said are massive names. How can anyone become Ijaz, Wasim or Inzi after two games? People don't give you time, but they should. It'll take four-five years, tours to other countries and performances to decide how good guys like Aamer and Alam and Akmal really are.

Looking back to the World Twenty20 briefly, it's been a few months since you won that. Has the significance of what the team achieved sunk in yet?
You know, even now when I go around meeting people, they congratulate me and that sort of drives it home a little, how much it meant. During the whole tournament we were constantly talking about how much we needed to win that tournament, how good it would be for Pakistan if we won it. We didn't know it, I guess, but in a way we were motivating ourselves - that Pakistan is in a bad way and we needed to do something. I kept saying it to the press that we, of all countries, needed to win it the most. I found out later, given the situation in parts of the country while we were there, just how amazing the whole thing was. It carries a lot of worth for us, a lot of worth, to know that people were so happy about it.

At what stage did you honestly feel you were in with a chance?
After we beat Holland, and the manner in which we beat them, I got an inkling that something could be done. Before the New Zealand win, I could sense that we were building up some momentum and it would be difficult to stop it. We won the toss in a couple of games, which helped, like against South Africa, and we knew if we scored 150 we could defend it. In the final we won and we batted second. Nasser Hussain even asked about the decision, and I said, "It is because we felt like it." And it worked.

Pakistan is in a tough group in the Champions Trophy. Are you confident?
I can feel something, I just have this feeling that we might beat one of India or Australia. I feel, it is my own feeling only, that we can change some history here. The way we have prepared for it, the way we worked in Lahore and here now, I feel positive. People are coming to us, like Shafqat Rana, and being surprised at how much we are working, how much we are training.

"Against Australia, if you need 25 off 10 balls, with eight wickets down, if Younis Khan can somehow play 10 out of those 10 balls with the tail, then maybe the 25 can be chased. This is the kind of pressure you need to handle"

This year's tournament is more open. The teams are more evenly matched. Also after Twenty20, the same quality is not there. It has become easier to hit bowlers. Guys like [Brett] Lee, [Mitchell] Johnson, [Umar] Gul, have been hit around, and such strange shots too - over your own head and stuff. Everyone is happy.

That team will win, those players will do well, who can handle pressure at crunch moments. Against Australia, if you need 25 off 10 balls, with eight wickets down, if Younis Khan can somehow play 10 out of those 10 balls with the tail, then maybe the 25 can be chased. This is the kind of pressure you need to handle. Or a catch comes to you at a crucial fielding position off Ponting's or Sachin's bat, and you take it, a difficult catch, then you can win. That is the kind of pressure to handle. India and Australia against us will be big pressure matches - you lose and you are likely gone. It is very open for everyone. In this format, you are either straight up or out. Usually you get a few matches to play, but here it is not the case. It is very open, but my own feeling is that Pakistan might just do something.

There is a lot of talk about ODI cricket today. People talk about changing it or scrapping it. What are your thoughts on the format?
We have already changed cricket so much, with Twenty20, super sixes in ODI tournaments, Powerplays in ODIs. If we make so many changes then will it stay the same game? It's very easy now in a sense. You can decide and pick whether you want to play ODI, Test or Twenty20 cricket. You can get satisfaction from each format, so why the need to change so much?

Some changes, like umpiring referrals, they make sense. That works across the board, and is a good thing. But if you break up an ODI match into four innings, into little pieces, then you are changing the whole thing, it isn't cricket anymore. It's like playing American football or something, where you are taking time-outs and some such.

I think we need to promote Test cricket in its own sense, ODI in its own sense and Twenty20 in its own sense. You cannot try and make Tests like Twenty20s or ODIs like Tests. They are separate formats. Promote them equally and separately and appreciate them.

Day-night Tests is not a bad idea because more people can come in, the weather may be better. Why not play Tests indoors? These are good ideas. When it gets so hot here and in India or the Middle East, why not play at night? Changing the format itself is like changing the sport.

If you want to play only fun cricket, play Twenty20. You cannot have one guy taking all the fun from all formats. You can't get married and have six girlfriends as well, because you will get stuck somewhere. I wanted to play Tests and ODIs, and I left Twenty20 and there is nothing wrong with that. Ponting has also left it now. I don't mind people choosing formats over the other, but why do you want to change the formats I am playing? Don't change cricket, keep the charm of each format. Cut down on the ODIs if there are too many.

Twenty20s - how do you see the rise of this format and the money it has brought into the game?
In this sense, when I see youngsters today, whoever is preparing, they don't ever say, "I am about to go and run five laps of the ground, or go for half an hour to the gym." They say, "We only have to play a three-hour Twenty20 match; we only have to hit shots in that." Every youngster is thinking this right now: it's only a three-hour match, so you don't need to train so much. You just need to hit the ball hard, win a match and take winnings. This is like life - everyone is going for the shortcut. But the shortcut will not always work in life; sometimes you need to work hard for things.

You have an example here, with the ICL. [Mohammad] Yousuf went to the ICL, [Abdul] Razzaq went, Imran Nazir, [Imran] Farhat, Rana [Naved-ul-Hasan], [Mohammad] Sami. This happened in front of us and if you still don't open your eyes to the danger then when will you? Look at England and Kolpak. Why did the Marshall brothers go there? Jacques Rudolph is there also. I met him and asked him why he left South Africa. He told me they don't pick him and so on, and I thought it strange, because that is the fun, that is the challenge, to prove yourself if you think you are a good player. You stay in that environment and prove yourself. You come to England and whatever money you are getting, however many runs you score, the satisfaction of playing Tests for your country you cannot beat. Knowing in that situation that everyone is against you and scoring runs in that environment and proving people wrong, there is nothing to compare with that feeling.

See, in life you are constantly proving yourself, aren't you? Either you feel you are strong or you aren't. You can run away from challenges. I could've left or not taken the captaincy this time, knowing many things would happen - which are happening. But this time I thought, "No, I am going to go into this storm, go right to the edge and see how long I can stand there. I could've run away again. It was very easy."

Sometimes, at the start, people who got kicked out would come back as captain. I was offered the vice-captaincy in 2002 by Tauqir Zia, and I said no. He said, "Are you mad? You can be a vice-captain, a senior." But there were so many seniors around who thought they deserved it more, how would they feel if I went above them suddenly? When [Shoaib] Malik came there were many problems, guys fought openly with him, and see what problems he had, the poor guy. I said, "Let me play and perform and don't make me a vice-captain. We have many senior guys, appoint them, and I cannot be with them around as it would be a problem." After that I was in and out of the team for two years.

"If you want to play only fun cricket, play Twenty20. You can't get married and have six girlfriends as well, because you will get stuck somewhere"

What is your take on coaches in cricket?
Coaches are mostly good for youngsters. In the senior team there should be helpers who are also coaches, like Bob Woolmer was. He was a coach but he helped out with everything - in bowling, in life, in stretching, in luggage, in everything. This is not football, where you need to have that kind of coach. Here in cricket it is in individual game in a team game. When bowler bowls to batsman, this is an individual contest, and what will the coach do there? Coaches should be like Bob, who listened to everyone and counselled everyone, with 16 guys around who were all giving their own opinion.

How long do you give yourself in the game?
It depends on fitness only. I don't want to hang around when my reflexes are gone and people are trying to kick me out. I just want that they let me know that this is our plan and you don't fit into it, so that I can leave with some dignity. I don't want to be kicked out. This depends on my fitness. I will be 34 in a month or so. After that, god willing, if I am fit and the performance is there, I can keep playing. I don't have to leave at 36 or 37, I might play on till 40 if I am doing well. Maybe even 50, if I am fit and performing. It will depend also on what the team's planning and thinking is, of course.

Would you like to stay involved in the game after you retire?
I reckon I could get into management - player management or something - after the game. My future lies somewhere within it.

How would you like to be remembered as a captain?
I want, when I leave, people to remember me as an honest guy who left something behind, not someone who took something away with him. Many guys take many things away with them when they leave. Since I've become captain, Saeed Ajmal has stood up, Mohammad Aamer has stood up, Umar Akmal is about to stand up. I want to make Shoaib Malik stand up as he is still a young player. I want Kamran Akmal to stand up. Both are very good players already, but I want them to become the top players of their times. Like Imran [Khan] left the team in 1992, with Ijaz, Salim Malik, the two Ws - that team between 1992 and 1999 World Cup final dominated. Okay they lost some games but they won 60% of their games. My wish, when I leave, is that these guys stand up and become greats, that I am bid farewell lovingly and with dignity and that people remember that when I left, I left behind some bowlers, some batsmen, and a team that can stand for itself - like Steve Waugh did, or Imran Khan did. This guy, after 20 years, did something for us.

Younus Khan has made all Pakistanis proud. He may not agree, but he has become a cricketing legend and a a great honour to Pakistan. His service to his country is undoubtedly, magnificent. I have been following his matches since he had started playing, and grew up watching him progress as a fantastic cricketer. He really has matured and led the team well, and winning that Twenty20 world cup last year... only a Pakistani would know how that felt, it made me tearful, proud and speechless. Furthermore, I believe he need not worry about being remembered, for he will be by many, and god willing, will retire with gracefulness and success.

POSTED BY
Ziggy0407
on | September 28, 2009, 20:07 GMT

to Sudhakrish what you saying about pakistan captain shoudlnt be running his mouth, first he needs to beat india and austraila. well you see now pakistan beat india and now they got austraila coming up. i know that they might wel have a chance to beat austraila, but i dont want them to beat australia becuase if pakistan dont beat austraila then after the Windies match india can pack there bags and go home. but if pakistan beat austraila u lot should thank us lol. by the way, the way india is playing i wont be suprised if Windies beat india. ok Sudhakrish

POSTED BY
TheRealRockNRolla
on | September 28, 2009, 6:54 GMT

Younis is really maturing into a talented leader - flashes of Imran and Javed - All the best to him and his side

POSTED BY
khan18
on | September 28, 2009, 5:42 GMT

Well congrats Pakistan fans finally we have a serious and full of leadership captain ....

POSTED BY
S.Rizwan
on | September 25, 2009, 16:18 GMT

Well Younis Khan is surely confident about his team's success but the fact that he told he will beat Australia is very difficult.I fully support Australia and have high hopes that they would beat every team they play in the champions trophy

POSTED BY
Jaspreet.sethi
on | September 25, 2009, 13:32 GMT

More and more I read this guy, more and more I get to know him, more and more this team does well, more and more I like this guy. Very impressive..

Especially "They are separate formats. Promote them equally and separately and appreciate them." Well said Mr. Khan.

POSTED BY
Umair_Arif
on | September 25, 2009, 11:45 GMT

well i havent seen any other cricketer more sincere than younis khan although i dont really like his slow batting before but hats off to such a truthful cricketer i am saying this because the moment when everyone is trying to adopt and play the shortest and richest version of the game (t 20 s) and earn the best possible amount of money in shortest time Rather than be honest to their respective country's.He took retirement at that time when he was crowned the captain of winning T20 side(literally the best t20 sides best captain) only because the people like me criticized him of his slow batting and smiling captaincy But he proved all of us wrong Hats off to younis khan

POSTED BY
Sudhakrish
on | September 25, 2009, 11:18 GMT

The statement from Younis "I think we will beat Ind or Aus" doesn't show his confidence that they are as powerful side as Ind or Aus. A true leader has to lead by example by leading his team to victory and then talk. You are a real champion only after you beat all your formidable oppositions. We will beat either this or that will not be a morale booster even for his team members. Giving statements such as "want to beat India" this time wouldn't work unless they show that into reality on the field. A captain has to have a sort of maturity and shouldn't be opening up much in public. Steve Waugh or Ponting don't give loose statements like that, even though they had players like Gilli, Haydo, Warnie, McGrath, etc. Indian captain Dhoni or other members didn't even talk about winning or losing against Pak. Controlled aggression on the field is the only way to beat a strong opponent and not giving statements from outside. India shut their door in all the ICC events but they are not talking.

POSTED BY
Fram
on | September 25, 2009, 10:59 GMT

I think Pakistan have finally picked the right captain who is not only a good cricketer, tactician.. but is also an honest man. Well Done!!

POSTED BY
borninthetimeofSRT
on | September 25, 2009, 8:03 GMT

Even though I am an Indian and want India to win, my heart goes for Younis. He is a jolly fellow with no tongue twisters like the Aussies. Dhoni is always to the point during his press meet - considering the hype generated by the media on every word of his. Younis speaks his mind, but the media is using him to make cricket more spicy than what it can handle. Kudos to Younis if they win against India or Australia, in one day cricket you have to the better one on that particular day. It takes courage to openly say you 'will' beat either of the top two ranked teams - and those in their prime form. Since the media is not getting any attention from the Indian camp (thanks to the low profile Gary Kirsten has inducted in the team), they are looking at getting comments from Pakistan. There have been plenty a comment from Afridi and Miandad and others about how desperately they want to win against India, but none from India about Pakistan. They'll quietly go about their job & stick to the code.

POSTED BY
littlemisscricket
on | September 28, 2009, 21:01 GMT

Younus Khan has made all Pakistanis proud. He may not agree, but he has become a cricketing legend and a a great honour to Pakistan. His service to his country is undoubtedly, magnificent. I have been following his matches since he had started playing, and grew up watching him progress as a fantastic cricketer. He really has matured and led the team well, and winning that Twenty20 world cup last year... only a Pakistani would know how that felt, it made me tearful, proud and speechless. Furthermore, I believe he need not worry about being remembered, for he will be by many, and god willing, will retire with gracefulness and success.

POSTED BY
Ziggy0407
on | September 28, 2009, 20:07 GMT

to Sudhakrish what you saying about pakistan captain shoudlnt be running his mouth, first he needs to beat india and austraila. well you see now pakistan beat india and now they got austraila coming up. i know that they might wel have a chance to beat austraila, but i dont want them to beat australia becuase if pakistan dont beat austraila then after the Windies match india can pack there bags and go home. but if pakistan beat austraila u lot should thank us lol. by the way, the way india is playing i wont be suprised if Windies beat india. ok Sudhakrish

POSTED BY
TheRealRockNRolla
on | September 28, 2009, 6:54 GMT

Younis is really maturing into a talented leader - flashes of Imran and Javed - All the best to him and his side

POSTED BY
khan18
on | September 28, 2009, 5:42 GMT

Well congrats Pakistan fans finally we have a serious and full of leadership captain ....

POSTED BY
S.Rizwan
on | September 25, 2009, 16:18 GMT

Well Younis Khan is surely confident about his team's success but the fact that he told he will beat Australia is very difficult.I fully support Australia and have high hopes that they would beat every team they play in the champions trophy

POSTED BY
Jaspreet.sethi
on | September 25, 2009, 13:32 GMT

More and more I read this guy, more and more I get to know him, more and more this team does well, more and more I like this guy. Very impressive..

Especially "They are separate formats. Promote them equally and separately and appreciate them." Well said Mr. Khan.

POSTED BY
Umair_Arif
on | September 25, 2009, 11:45 GMT

well i havent seen any other cricketer more sincere than younis khan although i dont really like his slow batting before but hats off to such a truthful cricketer i am saying this because the moment when everyone is trying to adopt and play the shortest and richest version of the game (t 20 s) and earn the best possible amount of money in shortest time Rather than be honest to their respective country's.He took retirement at that time when he was crowned the captain of winning T20 side(literally the best t20 sides best captain) only because the people like me criticized him of his slow batting and smiling captaincy But he proved all of us wrong Hats off to younis khan

POSTED BY
Sudhakrish
on | September 25, 2009, 11:18 GMT

The statement from Younis "I think we will beat Ind or Aus" doesn't show his confidence that they are as powerful side as Ind or Aus. A true leader has to lead by example by leading his team to victory and then talk. You are a real champion only after you beat all your formidable oppositions. We will beat either this or that will not be a morale booster even for his team members. Giving statements such as "want to beat India" this time wouldn't work unless they show that into reality on the field. A captain has to have a sort of maturity and shouldn't be opening up much in public. Steve Waugh or Ponting don't give loose statements like that, even though they had players like Gilli, Haydo, Warnie, McGrath, etc. Indian captain Dhoni or other members didn't even talk about winning or losing against Pak. Controlled aggression on the field is the only way to beat a strong opponent and not giving statements from outside. India shut their door in all the ICC events but they are not talking.

POSTED BY
Fram
on | September 25, 2009, 10:59 GMT

I think Pakistan have finally picked the right captain who is not only a good cricketer, tactician.. but is also an honest man. Well Done!!

POSTED BY
borninthetimeofSRT
on | September 25, 2009, 8:03 GMT

Even though I am an Indian and want India to win, my heart goes for Younis. He is a jolly fellow with no tongue twisters like the Aussies. Dhoni is always to the point during his press meet - considering the hype generated by the media on every word of his. Younis speaks his mind, but the media is using him to make cricket more spicy than what it can handle. Kudos to Younis if they win against India or Australia, in one day cricket you have to the better one on that particular day. It takes courage to openly say you 'will' beat either of the top two ranked teams - and those in their prime form. Since the media is not getting any attention from the Indian camp (thanks to the low profile Gary Kirsten has inducted in the team), they are looking at getting comments from Pakistan. There have been plenty a comment from Afridi and Miandad and others about how desperately they want to win against India, but none from India about Pakistan. They'll quietly go about their job & stick to the code.

POSTED BY
Devpriyo
on | September 25, 2009, 7:42 GMT

Till now we had know Younis Khan as top player..but his thoughts that he has shared with the world through this interview just tells us how good a man he is..one does not have to be a scholar to be a good person..it just comes from within and Younis Khan has shown it..i hope he is able to achieve what he has been working for and take Pakistan Cricket to new heights..I would be definitely supporting and cheering India for tomorrow's match but still...Best Of Luck, Younis and Your Men...

POSTED BY
PAK_TIGERS
on | September 25, 2009, 3:30 GMT

Younis is a very honest guy. He is straight shooter. Good interview and most importantly very good questions. He is good pathan from NWFP and he is fair w/ his entire TEAM. Good luck man , enjoy and dont care what people will think , give your 1000%

POSTED BY
Atish_G
on | September 25, 2009, 2:26 GMT

I have to say this - any man who thinks of his team and not himself when he thinks about his legacy - is worthy of high respect. Younis khan is absolutely right. If he can build a world-beating team before he leaves, it will be much better for Pakistan and world cricket than any amount of runs that he might score.

POSTED BY
BiggieYaz
on | September 25, 2009, 0:29 GMT

Younis is making sense, which is nice to see given some of his previous statements were pretty silly, before and during the 20-20 world cup. I believe Younis should work with the selectors and pinpoint two openers for ODIS and two openers for Tests and give them a full season as openers so we can finally solve our opening issue. We will never find another Saeed Anwar, but we should at least have a stable opening pair. For tests Yasir Hameed should open with a left hander, be in Fawad Alam or someone else and for ODIS Salman Butt and Imran Nazir.

POSTED BY
riteshjsr
on | September 24, 2009, 18:54 GMT

We all know that Younis Khan is an exceptional batsman. He also comes across as a very good human being during his interactions with the media. This interview was straight from the heart...I loved it. I think that he has instilled a sense of self belief in his young team, which was quite evident during the Twenty20 World Cup. I won't be surprised if they put it across either India or Australia as Younis calls out. Their bowling is top class and the return of Mohd. Yousuf lends solidity to the middle order. They look shaky at the top though. As an Indian, of course I would cheer for India, but it will be good if both India and Pakistan can make it to the next round. We might be treated to another India-Pak Final in an ICC tournament. Wow, mouthwatering.

POSTED BY
Jarr30
on | September 24, 2009, 18:11 GMT

I feel that Pakistan has a verry very good chance of beating India this time as they are without Yuvraj Singh,Zhaeer khan, V Shewag who are the biggest match winners and Gambhir is still recovering from injury. With there 4 players not playing then Pakistan's BIGGEST THREAT is Sachin Tendulkar, if he bats and scores yet another century then it will be tough for Pakistan. But i hope this will be a great match to watch as was the World cup match of 2003. I hope the better team wins

POSTED BY
The_Warrior
on | September 24, 2009, 16:45 GMT

Wow. A welcome change from the strange and surly Shoaib Malik! I hate to jinx anything, but I do feel under Younis, Pakistan will go places. And, as has been the trend recently, fascinating interview from Cricinfo! Keep them coming, this and the Sehwag interview are amongst some of the best in memory.

POSTED BY
s0ldier
on | September 24, 2009, 15:35 GMT

Whenever Younis Khan speaks...he sounds honest..after a long time looks like PAK has got an honest cricketer as their captain. He plays his game fair...good luck YK!

POSTED BY
Saim93
on | September 24, 2009, 13:57 GMT

great interview providing insight on Younus, i like him as Captain, very down to earth guy!

POSTED BY
IK11
on | September 24, 2009, 12:30 GMT

A very good interview.I always feel that Younis & Afridi are 2 guys who are extremely sincere & honest to pakistan cricket.Unlike others,they play(specially Younis) with lots of pride & always keep pakistan above all their individual goals.

POSTED BY
uppy
on | September 24, 2009, 12:15 GMT

Wow. Cricinfo does get some good interviews

POSTED BY
ali_bukhari
on | September 24, 2009, 11:46 GMT

Very nice interview indeed. For me this current Pakistani team looks to be a very strong one and I am dead sure they will win the champions trophy easily. The match against India should be a cake walk as India is the most inconsistent team in the recent past having played bulk of cricket over the years. The real match will be against Australia as Aussies are still a very strong team and Pak doesn't support a great record against them. Players like Umer Akmal, M. Asif and Amir along with some of the senior members will be the stand out players of the tournment.

POSTED BY
Avid.Cricket.Watcher
on | September 24, 2009, 11:16 GMT

Pakistan are the dark horses in this tournament, for me. They have a very talented and varied bowling lineup - good pacers and equally good spinners in Ajmal and Afridi. If only their batsmen can cope better with the South African pitches (than they have in the past), they can challenge most teams. I think we've got some excellent matches coming up in Group A! Unfortunately for India, a 3rd matchwinner has been lost yesterday, which makes it even more challenging.

POSTED BY
wanderer1
on | September 24, 2009, 11:13 GMT

Just go out there and have fun, don't worry about winning, it's about the fun.

POSTED BY
StHaroon
on | September 24, 2009, 10:41 GMT

Very surprised and refreshing to read the thoughts of Younas Khan. Quite a cerebral character, with parables to life and cricket. Glad to see him at the helm of the Pakistan team.

POSTED BY
AdityaMookerjee
on | September 24, 2009, 8:45 GMT

If Pakistan beat India, then it would be because they have played extra-ordinarily. It takes a lot to beat the present Indian Team. I do not believe that Pakistan can beat India. Pakistan have many new-comers, in their team. Players like Salman Butt are not there(?). The bowling attack of Pakistan, apart from Rana Naved, Umar Gul, and Mohammad Asif, is inexperienced in the fifty over format. I do not believe that Kamran Akmal is playing, which takes away experience from the Pakistan Team, though the present wicket-keeper is supposed to be better with the gloves, and perhaps also possibily with the bat. Yunus Khan is an outstanding player, but he has not had a long career, perhaps, as long as it should have been.

POSTED BY
Shahzad_Tirmizi
on | September 24, 2009, 7:54 GMT

Excellent interview Younis is the right choice for being captain of Pakistan. Thanks Osman for posting this interview & I hope you'll keep including interviews of Pakistani players on regular basis as interviews of Pakistani players appear rarely.

POSTED BY
cric_freak88
on | September 24, 2009, 6:42 GMT

really nice interview !

No featured comments at the moment.

POSTED BY
cric_freak88
on | September 24, 2009, 6:42 GMT

really nice interview !

POSTED BY
Shahzad_Tirmizi
on | September 24, 2009, 7:54 GMT

Excellent interview Younis is the right choice for being captain of Pakistan. Thanks Osman for posting this interview & I hope you'll keep including interviews of Pakistani players on regular basis as interviews of Pakistani players appear rarely.

POSTED BY
AdityaMookerjee
on | September 24, 2009, 8:45 GMT

If Pakistan beat India, then it would be because they have played extra-ordinarily. It takes a lot to beat the present Indian Team. I do not believe that Pakistan can beat India. Pakistan have many new-comers, in their team. Players like Salman Butt are not there(?). The bowling attack of Pakistan, apart from Rana Naved, Umar Gul, and Mohammad Asif, is inexperienced in the fifty over format. I do not believe that Kamran Akmal is playing, which takes away experience from the Pakistan Team, though the present wicket-keeper is supposed to be better with the gloves, and perhaps also possibily with the bat. Yunus Khan is an outstanding player, but he has not had a long career, perhaps, as long as it should have been.

POSTED BY
StHaroon
on | September 24, 2009, 10:41 GMT

Very surprised and refreshing to read the thoughts of Younas Khan. Quite a cerebral character, with parables to life and cricket. Glad to see him at the helm of the Pakistan team.

POSTED BY
wanderer1
on | September 24, 2009, 11:13 GMT

Just go out there and have fun, don't worry about winning, it's about the fun.

POSTED BY
Avid.Cricket.Watcher
on | September 24, 2009, 11:16 GMT

Pakistan are the dark horses in this tournament, for me. They have a very talented and varied bowling lineup - good pacers and equally good spinners in Ajmal and Afridi. If only their batsmen can cope better with the South African pitches (than they have in the past), they can challenge most teams. I think we've got some excellent matches coming up in Group A! Unfortunately for India, a 3rd matchwinner has been lost yesterday, which makes it even more challenging.

POSTED BY
ali_bukhari
on | September 24, 2009, 11:46 GMT

Very nice interview indeed. For me this current Pakistani team looks to be a very strong one and I am dead sure they will win the champions trophy easily. The match against India should be a cake walk as India is the most inconsistent team in the recent past having played bulk of cricket over the years. The real match will be against Australia as Aussies are still a very strong team and Pak doesn't support a great record against them. Players like Umer Akmal, M. Asif and Amir along with some of the senior members will be the stand out players of the tournment.

POSTED BY
uppy
on | September 24, 2009, 12:15 GMT

Wow. Cricinfo does get some good interviews

POSTED BY
IK11
on | September 24, 2009, 12:30 GMT

A very good interview.I always feel that Younis & Afridi are 2 guys who are extremely sincere & honest to pakistan cricket.Unlike others,they play(specially Younis) with lots of pride & always keep pakistan above all their individual goals.

POSTED BY
Saim93
on | September 24, 2009, 13:57 GMT

great interview providing insight on Younus, i like him as Captain, very down to earth guy!